They want to extract top 4 teeth in my 15 month old DD- UPDATE

[dani76]

Okay, I need some advice. DD has serious decay ans weak enamel in her top 4 teeth. There was some pitting and discoloration a month ago when we took her to the dentist. He said to wait 6 months and come back. He also called in a scrip for Fluoride. We decided against fluoride. He also said that if she got work done there, they restrain them. No sedation at all. And no parents. They use novacaine.

So, fast forward a month. The same pitting and discoloration, but major chips in her two front teeth. Both from falls. She's still nursing, and it hurts me a little with two chipped teeth. So, I went on a hunt for a ped. dentist that uses sedation. I found one, she uses both iv and conscious sedation. I can go back with DD for the exam tomorrow. But not when she gets sedated to have the work done. I'm having a really hard time with this.

I know that if she was having surgery it's not likely I would get to be with her during it. But it absolutely breaks my heart to think of her being scared and alone. Also, will I be able to nurse her that day if she gets caps?

Should we do the topical fluoride to help harden her enamel? Please help, I'm an emotional wreck over this.

[mom2sunshine]

First, hugs. It is so hard to go through that. I will just share my expeirience. My 2 1/2 yr old had "nursing caries" - needed baby root canals and caps- and we choose sedation dentistry - with an iv. She received one shot in the leg while seated on my lap. Once she was all "goofy", the anesthesiologist took her back (our ped dentist has one that will come in - you pay him seperately $$$). Now, she cried at the shot in the leg - and she did freak out a little once the drugs hit her. That lasted about 2 minutes. Once she started to get floppy and calm - he took her back. I didn't like being away either - but I was with her at begining and end. And she would never remember the middle.

They inserted an iv and did iv sedation. When done, they removed the iv, and brought her to me in a recovering room, where I layed with her while she woke up. She remembered nothing, and had no ill effects. We nursed that night

Good luck to you!!! Rambling, need to go...

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Conscious sedation is safer than IV sedation. There are less risks for respiratory depression and other side effects.

I had it with my last dental work.

It hits much slower (I took it, then hung out in a nice comfy dim, quiet room for about 30-45min with my friend before it made me calm enough to go back).

My procedure lasted 4+ hours and I remember a total of maybe 5 minutes of it. I went home, slept for a while and woke up refreshed.

I've also had IV sedation, and had no ill effects from that. But the risks are greater.

Best of luck!

[TudoBem]

We also did IV sedation and I would highly recommend it. I was holding my son when they gave him the shot that basically put him out. Then I laid him on the table and they inserted the IV (of which he was oblivious to). I was there as soon as he woke up and he wasn't conscious for any of the procedure.
Doing a conscious sedation (with novacaine) with a child that young would be extremely traumatic and cruel, IMO.
Also, we did do a topical fluoride varnish once before the procedure and also brushed his teeth with some ACT fluoride rinse twice a day. This was to keep the decay at bay until he turned 18 mos. and had the surgery.
Good luck. I know how stressful this is.

[TudoBem]

Originally Posted by CookieMonsterMommy

Conscious sedation is safer than IV sedation. There are less risks for respiratory depression and other side effects.

I had it with my last dental work.

It hits much slower (I took it, then hung out in a nice comfy dim, quiet room for about 30-45min with my friend before it made me calm enough to go back).

My procedure lasted 4+ hours and I remember a total of maybe 5 minutes of it. I went home, slept for a while and woke up refreshed.

I've also had IV sedation, and had no ill effects from that. But the risks are greater.

Best of luck!

IV sedation is very safe if your child is healthy (i.e. no allergies or heart murmurs) and it's done under a trained anesthesiologist.

Conscious sedation does not work for a child under 2 and it typically makes them more upset as they fight any calming effects of the drug.

[MomToKandE]

Will they let you be with her until she's sedated? My nephew just had tubes put in and that was how they did it. My sister could stay with him until he was sedated and then had to leave for the procedure. At least that way your dd would have you when/if she was scared before the medication kicks in.

Good luck!!!

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Originally Posted by TudoBem

IV sedation is very safe if your child is healthy (i.e. no allergies or heart murmurs) and it's done under a trained anesthesiologist.

I know that. But it still carries more risks.

[dani76]

Originally Posted by MomToKandE

Will they let you be with her until she's sedated? My nephew just had tubes put in and that was how they did it. My sister could stay with him until he was sedated and then had to leave for the procedure. At least that way your dd would have you when/if she was scared before the medication kicks in.

Good luck!!!

I have only talked to the person who made our appt. over the phone. She said no, but I'm going to talk to the dentist tomorrow. I think her and I would feel somewhat better if I could hold while they give her the first shot to relax her, and then hand her over.

[dani76]

Thanks everyone. I was worried about the CS, because I thought that even if she doesn't remember the procedure, she is awake while it's happening right? That freaks me out.

I really just want to be with her when she gets sleepy and when she is waking up. I don't think it's too much to ask.

I've been crying off and on all day, just thinking about my little baby in surgery. I feel guilty, like it's my fault for nursing on demand. My brain knows that's not true, but my heart doesn't. Should I night wean? I can't imagine not nursing her on demand. It doesn't help that I have AF and am emotional anyways.

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Originally Posted by dani76

Thanks everyone. I was worried about the CS, because I thought that even if she doesn't remember the procedure, she is awake while it's happening right? That freaks me out.

Well, awake-ish. More like in a light sleep.

[dani76]

Thanks CMM. I think it will be good for me to actually talk to the dentist and she can explain it to me. She's awake, I'll write more later.

[Nora'sMama]

Originally Posted by dani76

Thanks everyone. I was worried about the CS, because I thought that even if she doesn't remember the procedure, she is awake while it's happening right? That freaks me out.

I really just want to be with her when she gets sleepy and when she is waking up. I don't think it's too much to ask.

I've been crying off and on all day, just thinking about my little baby in surgery. I feel guilty, like it's my fault for nursing on demand. My brain knows that's not true, but my heart doesn't. Should I night wean? I can't imagine not nursing her on demand. It doesn't help that I have AF and am emotional anyways.

Maybe you can start with just doing the topical fluoride? I have looked into the fluoride thing and from everything I have read, topical fluoride is a very useful and benign treatment for dental caries. Taking it internally (through supplements or the water supply) worries me a lot more than putting it on my teeth or my child's.

Sorry you are going through this. I also have a May '05 baby and can't imagine having to contemplate dental surgery for her!

[dani76]

Originally Posted by Nora'sMama

Maybe you can start with just doing the topical fluoride? I have looked into the fluoride thing and from everything I have read, topical fluoride is a very useful and benign treatment for dental caries. Taking it internally (through supplements or the water supply) worries me a lot more than putting it on my teeth or my child's.

Sorry you are going through this. I also have a May '05 baby and can't imagine having to contemplate dental surgery for her!

Thanks, that's what I was thinking about the fluoride. And I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It's very scary and sad.

[kaPOW!]

I have a May 05 baby as well, and he too has decay. Three months ago I thought we would need to pull his teeth by now, but we've managed to slow the decay drastically through topical treatments. Now, there is hope that we may be able to wait until 18 or 24 months before putting him through GA. Whatever happens, we've decided that the cost/benefit consideration points at GA for us.

The topical treatments are intense, and I don't know if I recommend them. Every time he eats, bm or otherwise, I put a very very very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste onto his front four teeth with my finger. That means about 12-16 times a day/night. This makes me very very very nervous, but it has been working.

I don't know what stage your babe's teeth are at. Maybe there's still hope that you can slow the decay down for a few more months. Chances are, they haven't even grown all the way out yet, so it's probably not quite as horrible as it seems. The pain during breastfeeding will subside after a few days as the teeth get worn down, but of course if a new chip is occuring every week then it would be perpetually painful. I read somewhere on here that mom's were putting dental wax on the teethies...but I've never seen the stuff.

If there's no way around treating the teethies now, then none of that really helps any, but maybe knowing that you're totally not alone in what you're dealing with does. It's so heartwrenching, on so many levels, and I'll be wishing you and your little one the best. Personally, I was just so grateful for this forum, and the caring, informed women who populate it.

And actually, I'm a little jealous that you might just get to have this taken care of and done with! I'm sure that it will go just fine. Make sure to check the babe's health insurance coverage, as portions of the procedure may be covered. Although health insurance comps don't usually process dental claims, they often will make exceptions based on the age of the child. It's worth looking into, although the fact that they do the GA in office probably makes it a lot more affordable.

[dani76]

Well, we just got back from the dentist's office and it was not good. She recommends extracting all 4 top teeth. Since DD is only 21 lbs, the anesthesiologist won't work with her. So it's either a papoose with local anes. or sending her to Oakland Children's Hospital. I will not papoose her, so it looks we are going to Oakland Children's Hospital.

Of course I got slammed for nursing. Which makes me feel like a horrible parent now. How can something my body makes for her, be so bad for her? Why do other babies get to have their front teeth and not mine? I am angry and devastated.

Her bottom teeth have good enamel. They put some fluoride on them. (Without asking I might add.) She said they couldn't do a partial until her molars came in all the way.

I don't want to stop nursing her. Do I night wean? I don't want the rest of her teeth to be bad. Am I letting them get to me? You should have seen the way they looked at me for still nursing her. She's only 15 months old!!

I have no one to talk to about this who understands. All of DH's comments are being taken the wrong way. I just really feel like a horrible mother.

[aywilkes]

Originally Posted by dani76

Well, we just got back from the dentist's office and it was not good. She recommends extracting all 4 top teeth. Since DD is only 21 lbs, the anesthesiologist won't work with her. So it's either a papoose with local anes. or sending her to Oakland Children's Hospital. I will not papoose her, so it looks we are going to Oakland Children's Hospital.

Of course I got slammed for nursing. Which makes me feel like a horrible parent now. How can something my body makes for her, be so bad for her? Why do other babies get to have their front teeth and not mine? I am angry and devastated.

Her bottom teeth have good enamel. They put some fluoride on them. (Without asking I might add.) She said they couldn't do a partial until her molars came in all the way.

I don't want to stop nursing her. Do I night wean? I don't want the rest of her teeth to be bad. Am I letting them get to me? You should have seen the way they looked at me for still nursing her. She's only 15 months old!!

I have no one to talk to about this who understands. All of DH's comments are being taken the wrong way. I just really feel like a horrible mother.

The same thing happened to my really good extended nursing breastfeeding mom and she also felt really guilty. Her daughter's 4 front teeth were taken out. She still nurses though but I think she cut down on nighttime nursing and fruit and started cleaning her dd's mouth more often.

[dani76]

Thanks. I will definitely start cleaning her teeth more. But I really don't want to stop nursing her.

[Nora'sMama]

Can I ask how you were first clued in that Eleanor had tooth decay? Now I am worried about my DD since she is still night-nursing and her teeth do seem "sharp" on my nipples...perhaps they are chipping without my knowing it? Yikes.

I wouldn't stop nursing her...I think if it were me I would definitely start the nightweaning process, though. Just to be on the safe side.

Have you heard of xylitol as a way to prevent decay? It is a sugar alcohol that neutralizes cavity-causing bacteria. I bought Spiffies wipes and gum for myself and DD...we don't use them that often...but they might be something to add to your tooth-cleaning regimen that definitely can't hurt and might help. They have a nice sweet flavor and xylitol is absolutely harmless to ingest so it really couldn't hurt.

[dani76]

When her top two teeth came in, there was a small white spot on one of them. We didn't think anything of it. Then it got bigger, and there was a crack in the enamel of one of the teeth next to it. Then there was discoloration on all four. She fell once, and chipped one of them, and then the other night she fell and chipped the other one. I had thought it might just be fluorosis at first. Because I thought there's no way she could have such bad decay at such a young age. She drinks only water, no juice. And no junk food. I have always nursed on demand. She was attached to my boob for the first 6 months practically. Maybe a pacifier would have been better? I don't know.

I would recommend taking her to the dentist. If for nothing else, she will get used to going. And it will give you peace of mind. I wish we would have gone earlier, like at 6-8 months when I first saw that spot. But what can I do.

[dani76]

Well, I am feeling a little better. Anything could have caused those cavities, not necessarily just my breastmilk. I just wish I could have held my composure and educated that dentist about bf-ing.

I am researching some children's hospitals to get DD in to have an exam. I would like a good second opinion. Maybe we can do root canals and caps. Plus, I imagine this will affect her speech. She is just learning to talk. So, I would like a referral for a speech therapist too if needed. I have to focus on coming up with a solution to this. I can't take it away.

I did order some Spiffies today (thanks Nora'sMama). It's much easier to clean her teeth with a cloth.